Nursing

Shortage
Issues and
Challenges
Nursing shortage refers to the
inadequate number of qualified nurses
to meet the growing demand for
healthcare services. This shortage poses
numerous challenges and requires
immediate attention from healthcare
institutions and policymakers.

The resolution of this issue will be

necessary to guarantee the delivery of
high-quality patient care.

About 100,000 registered nurses left the

workforce during the past two years due
to stress, burnout and retirements, and
another 610,388 reported an intent to
leave by 2027, according to a study
released by the National Council of State
Boards of Nursing.
Overview of
Nursing Shortage
The nursing shortage is a global issue
affecting healthcare systems worldwide.

The shortage is caused by several factors,

including an aging population, an aging
nursing workforce, High turnover rates and a
lack of nursing faculty to train new nurses.

The shortage has serious implications for

patient care, including longer wait times,
decreased quality of care, and increased
risk of medical errors.
Causes and Contributing Factors

Aging Workforce Low Wages

Many nurses are reaching retirement age and Nurses are often paid less than other
leaving the workforce, creating a gap in healthcare professionals, leading to a lack of
experienced healthcare professionals. interest in the field and high turnover rates.
 Causes and Contributing Factors

Lack of Education Programs High Stress and Burnout

There are not enough nursing education programs to Nursing is a high-stress profession that can lead to
meet the demand for new nurses, leading to a shortage burnout and other mental health issues. This can also
of qualified professionals contribute to the nursing shortage, as many nurses leave
the profession due to these challenges.
 Effects of Nursing Shortage

Decreased Quality of Patient Care Higher Healthcare Costs

The shortage leads to compromised patient care, longer The nursing shortage contributes to increased
wait times, and reduced attention to individual patient healthcare costs due to overtime payments and the
needs. need for outsourcing temporary staff.
 Strategies to Address Nursing
Shortage

Increased Diversity Implement Nursing Retention

Recruiting more men and individual from underrepresented
communities, as well as offering cultural competency
training from underrepresented communities, as well as
offering cultural competency training for nurses.
Strategies
Develop programs to support nurses' professional growth,
provide mentorship opportunities, and create a positive
work environment.
 Strategies to Address Nursing
Shortage

Investment in Education Improved Working Conditions

One solution to nursing shortage is to invest in offering more competitive salaries, reducing workload,
education. This can include offering scholarships, loan and providing better benefits and work-life balance.
forgiveness programs, and increasing funding for Implementing nurse- patient ratio legislation
nursing programs.
Technology and
Innovation in
Nursing Shortage
Implementing Electronic Health Records
Streamlining documentation and reducing
administrative burden for nurses.

Integrating Al and automation

Automating routine tasks and providing decision
support to assist nurses in their daily work.

Utilizing telehealth and remote monitoring

Expanding access to healthcare services and reducing
the need for in-person nursing care.
 Impact of Nursing Shortage on
Patient Care

Compromised patient safety Higher rates of medication errors

Nurses may not be readily available to handle emergencies Incorrect dosages, missed medications, or administering the wrong
medication to patients. That can lead to adverse drug reactions, patient
and respond to deteriorating patient conditions promptly.
harm, or even death.
 Impact of Nursing Shortage on
Patient Care

Increased risk of hospital-acquired

Higher readmission rates
infections
patients might receive less comprehensive education about their conditions
An understaffed healthcare facility may not be able to strictly adhere
or post-discharge instructions, leading to higher readmission rates due to
to infection control protocols, leading to an increased risk of
medication non-compliance, poor self-care, or lack of proper follow-up care.
hospital-acquired infections among patients.
Conclusion
BUILDING A STRONGER
NURSING
WORKFORCE
Addressing the global nursing shortage requires a
comprehensive understanding of the challenges and a
commitment to implementing effective solutions. By
working together and embracing innovation, we can
create a sustainable future for the nursing profession.
Presented by: Ronalyn Cabildo

Thank
you very
much!
Prof. Franz Ain Farne
NRS510:
Current Trends and Issues in Nursing
 References
American Nurses Association. (2019). Nursing shortage. Retrieved from Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore
et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia
deserunt mollit anim id
est laborum.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2020). Nursing shortage. Retrieved from Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor
incididunt ut labore
et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia
deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Buerhaus, P. I., Auerbach, D. I., & Staiger, D. O. (2016). The recent surge in nurse employment: Causes and implications. Health Affairs, 35(8), 1486-1490.
doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0280

Buchan, J., & Aiken, L. (2018). Solving nursing shortages: A common priority. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(7-8), 1391–1393. doi:10.1111/jocn.14581

Citations:

American Nurses Association (ANA, 2019) reports that the nursing shortage is a significant issue affecting the healthcare industry. The shortage of nurses has both causes
and consequences (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2020). Buerhaus, Auerbach, and Staiger (2016) point out various causes of the nursing shortage
and its implications. Furthermore, Buchan and Aiken (2018) argue that addressing the nursing shortage is a common priority, leading to the development of various
strategies to solve this problem.

The nursing shortage has a profound impact on patient care (ANA, 2019). According to AACN (2020), the shortage of nurses has led to increased workload and decreased
patient outcomes. Research by Buerhaus et al. (2016) shows that the recent surge in nurse employment has not fully addressed the shortage, indicating the ongoing
challenges faced in providing quality patient care. Buchan and Aiken (2018) stress the need for immediate action to address the nursing shortage and improve patient care.